Identify 22/32 HE

automac · #1 09-29-2017, 04:28 PM

Hand Ejector
#3909xx
22lr
6" Barrel
Adjustable sights
Strain Screw= Yes

thadheth · #2 09-29-2017, 06:19 PM

I think you should post a picture or two if possible, since your description might fit a couple of categories. (Although, it is also possible that one of the experts here can identify what you have from the information you provided.)

H Richard · #3 09-29-2017, 07:33 PM

I would be guessing it would be a 22/32 Heavy Frame Target, Pre-War, sometime in the 1930's possibly. Clear large pictures are required to verify exactly. There is several pages of information in the SCSW4, once it can be positively identified.

DCWilson · #4 09-29-2017, 07:48 PM

Yes, that pretty much has to be a Heavy Frame Target. The serial number actually points to a probable shipping date about 1925.

By all means, show us some pictures if you can.

automac · #5 09-29-2017, 09:49 PM

First try with pictures.

g8rb8 · #6 09-29-2017, 10:08 PM

This age S&W is outside my bailiwick but I'll chime in and others with more experience will be sure to be along.

Pictures suggest you have a .22/32 Hand Ejector also referred to a .22/32 Heavy Frame Target. Production is probably circa mid 1920's.

The designation .22/32 means a .22 caliber built on what had originally been a .32 caliber I frame revolver.

Larger mushroom-like ejector rod knob changed to smaller size circa 1928. This looks like a larger ejector rod knob.

Hondo44 · #7 09-29-2017, 10:20 PM

Yep, I agree with David. In this case the serial # pinned it down even w/o the photos.

rct269 · #8 09-29-2017, 11:35 PM

#444707 shipped March 8, 1927.

Ralph Tremaine

DCWilson · #9 09-30-2017, 06:30 AM

One interesting thing that the photos reveal is the rebated grip frame -- the shallow step in the backstrap. That allowed fitting the S&W Regulation Police stocks to the frame in order to convert the small steel round butt frame to a larger square butt handful. The RP stocks were standard on the company's .32 HE target models of this era (post 1917), but the .22/32 HFTs usually had the even larger two-screw extension stocks. These could be mounted directly on the rounded grip frame with no modification. Only for a brief period in the earl 1920s did the .22/32 come with the RP stocks as standard issue. I would not have expected to see a rebated frame on a 1925 HFT, but this won't be the first time that I have been surprised by a S&W.

Both RP and the two-screw extension stocks could be mounted on a rebated frame. My photos are in disarray at the moment, or I would post a couple to show what I am talking about. Perhaps another member could post some pics if it seems like it might be helpful.

Green Frog · #10 09-30-2017, 08:24 AM

To follow up on what David said, I've owned two HFTs, one each equipped with the 2 screw target grips and the RFP grips... I much prefer and therefor kept the latter. I'll also add that Mustang used to sell a set of fully inletted but only rough shaped target grips and I just picked up a NOS set from the For Sale Accessories section of this forum. I may be able to personalize my gun even better.

Froggie

Hondo44 · #11 09-30-2017, 09:04 AM

David,

• Aug. 29, 1923 change order, replaced .22/32 HFT sq butt RP stocks, returning to 2 screw target stocks as standard. And from the original Paine bead* front sight w/U-Notch to a Patridge w/square notch rear.

I did notice this HFT has the old style rebated GF but the newer sights so it's on the cusp. Made me think about possibly earlier production and/or shipping in 1924 and I wondered which stocks it actually shipped with.

Maybe the OP has a photo of the stocks from his HFT. His HFT with rebated grip frame may have been a left over inventory that actually shipped with two screw target stocks as we've occasionally seen.

Regulation Police stocks on a 32 RP model:

This shows special grip frame for Reg Police grips; notice the notched (rebated) area on the bottom half of the grip frame backstrap:

These pre war 2 screw extension target stocks more common on 22/32 HFT models and even used on the pre war 22/32 Kit Gun:

JP@AK · #12 09-30-2017, 09:27 AM

Here is another combination. HFT with non-rebated frame with hard rubber extension stocks. This revolver shipped in October, 1925. Note the Paine front sight.

automac · #13 10-02-2017, 09:21 AM

[QUOTE=Hondo44;139764015]David,

• Aug. 29, 1923 change order, replaced .22/32 HFT sq butt RP stocks, returning to 2 screw target stocks as standard. And from the original Paine bead* front sight w/U-Notch to a Patridge w/square notch rear.

I did notice this HFT has the old style rebated GF but the newer sights so it's on the cusp. Made me think about possibly earlier production and/or shipping in 1924 and I wondered which stocks it actually shipped with.

Maybe the OP has a photo of the stocks from his HFT. His HFT with rebated grip frame may have been a left over inventory that actually shipped with two screw target stocks as we've occasionally seen.

here are a couple of pics of the stocks!

Hondo44 · #14 10-02-2017, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by automac

here are a couple of pics of the stocks!

Regulation Police.